VERITAS is a modern parable that addresses the pressing issues facing our society as we begin this new century.  Written as a modern-day Platonic dialogue, VERITAS pits Ed Cartwell, representing the world of commerce and business, against his nephew Michael “Cappy” Cartwell, a priest representing the world of organized religion.  While such a pairing of characters is already ripe with possibilities for dialogue and exchange, the authors William Dean and Don Waldy have gone one step further and imbued Ed Cartwell with a practical spiritual enlightenment.  Ed is portrayed as a guru and evangelist of a new movement, the self-titled Gospel of Commerce and Spirituality.  It is through the character of Ed Cartwell that the authors present their vision of a world in which enlightened business leaders cultivate spiritual as well as material wealth through adherence to ethical principles and conduct.

VERITAS is intended as a classic dialogue.  The main and secondary figures in the book are not drawn to represent actual characters, but rather are intended to embody a particular point of view.  The character of Michael “Cappy” Cartwell, Ed’s younger priest nephew, continues to spout the party line in the face of Ed’s “heresies.”  A bishop and governor make brief appearances representing organized religion and politics respectively.  The one wild card in VERITAS is Ed himself, who has all of the trappings of the successful businessman, yet appears to have experienced an epiphany regarding the roles of commerce, religion and politics.

Ed’s heresies are manifold, and his epiphany borrows liberally from Eastern philosophy, mysticism, and secular humanism.  He presumes to rewrite the Beatitudes of the New Testament in terms of business practices, the relationship of employers and employees, and the obligations of industry to benefit the greater good.  For Dean and Waldy, spirituality does not necessitate a renouncement of material wealth and worldly concerns, but instead embraces those things.  There is a long-standing tradition in Christianity of God using the ordinary things of the world to reveal Himself.  The connection between spiritual practice and material reward is a mainstay of American Protestantism and was an important component of Bruce Wilkinson’s best selling Prayer of Jabez.

As Ed goes about rewriting the Beatitudes, he and Cappy touch upon many themes, some timely, some esoteric.  Reincarnation, the Fatima Secrets, the Essenes, the relationship of Christianity to Eastern religion, human relations, Christ’s humanity – these are just some of the themes touched upon in the dialogue.  VERITAS is not intended for the close-minded or those entrenched in their beliefs.  This book challenges orthodox beliefs and presents a myriad of ideas that may not be familiar to all readers.  Fortunately, Dean and Waldy have included a thorough bibliography to assist those readers who may want to further explore a particular idea presented in VERITAS.

The banter and interplay between Ed and Cappy as they touch upon these spiritual themes is reminiscent Richard Bach’s Illusions or Neale Donald Walsch’s Conversations with God series.  The Nine Blessings put forth by Ed, though a bit wordier than the original Beatitudes, do contain some compelling ideas.  My only wish as I read each blessing, was that Ed, given his years of experience in the business world, could provide more concrete examples of these ideas in action.  Ed does do a very competent job in defending his ideas from the debunking efforts of his nephew and goes on in turn to debunk beliefs and judgments put forth by Cappy.  Clearly, the authors have stacked the deck against Cappy, but he makes such an easy target.  Cappy is a good soldier following orders, but his “beliefs” have become empty dogma that have no real relevance to his life and experience.

One could argue that VERITAS is anti-Church, but to do so would be to miss the point of the book.  VERITAS is no more anti-Church than it is anti-business or anti-politics.  VERITAS merely seeks to challenge any beliefs or practices that have become institutionalized to the point where they no longer serve the needs of their adherents.  VERITAS is highly recommended for spiritual seekers who are ready to look critically at the structures and assumptions that make up our society.  One hopes that VERITAS could become a springboard to meaningful discussion and productive dialogue.

Review by Ken Smith

VERITAS: A Gospel Of Commerce And Spirituality is a modern day parable that thrusts center stage the war between two long-time adversaries – Business and Religion. Through a lively satirical skirmish, VERITAS generates a poignant and challenging discussion regarding the exchange of power between business and religion. It dares to integrate contemporary political dialogue into this long-overdue debate, hoping to stir up a new recipe for innovative yet practical approaches to everyday spiritual living. Aspiring to be ecumenical, VERITAS humbly desires the goal of uniting the world under the love of God.

Presented with allegorical characters, an uncle discusses (with his nephew) his last will and testament. Of the two main characters, Ed Cartwell is a foxy, aging and successful businessperson acting as the personification of the ideals of spiritually enlightened Commerce. Michael Cartwell, his shy nephew, faithfully stereotypes the ideals of Organized Religion as a loyal yet curious priest. They engage in a fast moving, spirited dispute that represents the belated debate between the two iconic institutions. Through their ricocheting battle we learn the depth of both positions, but we are also offered a host of fresh perspectives, the benefits of breaking with traditional mores, and the possibilities of the simple changes that could be made to enlighten our commercial and spiritual interactions.

Ed Cartwell has an inspiration! He realizes that business practices based upon spiritual principles could supplant business-as-usual, religion-as-usual, and politics-as-usual! "Spiritualized" Commerce could reform religion, politics and business, resulting in Humanity saving itself! Ed submits that the traditional forty hours in the workplace could be elevated into a daily spiritual journey, regardless of one’s predetermined prejudices. Enlightened business executives could truly help create a global community, "on earth as it is in heaven." He encases his highly unusual ideas and viewpoints in what he calls "blessings for business," formally presenting them as The Beatitudes For Business.

Of course, Michael the Priest has a few words to say. Defending the Church from evident attack, Michael responds by offering to help Ed in healing the obvious pain he feels in his soul, and to bring Ed back into the fold by reexamining his faith. What Michael doesn’t know is the urgency of Ed’s message, nor the awareness of Spirit he himself harbors within his own heart - and the need to discuss with his earnest uncle his own hidden unorthodox views and intuitions.

VERITAS is a timely discourse - it addresses issues in the headlines that affect our pocketbooks and our futures. It invites an open and honest examination of business and religious custom in hopes of promoting the exchange of new ideas and new perspectives, which appear more important now as the world challenges us and the global community finally understands its interconnectedness. VERITAS asks its readers to consider how the fear of change has won the past battles for our souls, and to look to the future where honest innovation and the tearing down of artificial separation can be the new tools for exploring spiritually-transcendent Commerce.